In chapter 3, Peter and John are on their way to pray at the Temple. Inside the temple, they encounter a crippled beggar, who is subsequently healed. In the ensuing celebration, Peter takes the opportunity to preach about Jesus.
Chapter 4 begins with Peter and John being arrested by the Temple guards and held overnight. They are questioned the following morning before the entire Sanhedrin. This 71 member council served as the supreme court of the Jews. They had complete judicial powers excluding capital punishment except in one specific situation. They could prescribe and carry out the death penalty when a gentile trespassed on the inner court of the temple.
The next morning, the questioning begins and Peter eloquently responds to their question about where the disciples received their power. Look closely at the scribes' response to his words:
Remember that just a few weeks back, Peter denied Christ 3 times because of fear. The new Peter, forgiven by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, has already preached to two crowds of people and now has just calmly and boldly addressed the intimidating Sanhedrin.
Their Education
The members of this ruling council were priests (position held primarily by birth), scribes (experts in the law), Pharisees (fanatic followers of the law) and Elders (respected men in the community). All of them were well studied and regarded themselves better than the unlearned folk, such as Peter and John. Thus, they were astounded when the heard Peter teach with authority.
Their Time with Jesus
The text states that they took note of this fact. I believe they took note only to categorize the level of threat the two men posed. To let this fact account for the boldness and eloquence of Pater and John would involve recognizing that their past dealing with Christ was in error.
Proof of Their Power
The presence of the not-quite-so-cripple made it very difficult for the Sanhedrin to take any action against the disciples. Their primary question (vs 7) was "By what power or what name did you do this?"
The message and power of the new Christan church was a threat to the influence held by the Sanhedrin. Instead of taking a close look at the movement, they immediately disregarded the results (the healing) and instead looked for ways to neutralize the disciples and their message. They only sought to preserve the status quo and their own influence.
Contrast that to the behavior of the disciples! In verse 18, the ruling council commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
I want this to be the same way I live my life.
